No legal action on 'Olympic' book

Mr Ronsson said he was "very surprised" by the request

A children's book with the word "Olympic" in its title has been published despite legal threats from organisers of London's 2012 games.

Donovan Twins: Olympic Mind Games, by Robert Ronsson, from Bewdley, Worcs, tells of alien contact in 2012.

Olympic organisers asked Mr Ronsson to remove "Olympic" from the title as it was not an officially licensed item.

A London 2012 spokesman said it was "disappointing" it was published and hoped a solution could be reached.

Under the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 organisers have trademark rights over words such as "Olympic", "London 2012" and "2012".

'Protect sponsors'

The London 2012 spokesman said: "We have to protect the rights of our sponsors, who pay us considerable amounts of money to have exclusive rights to an association with the Olympic brand."

Despite receiving warnings of legal action, publisher Pen Press printed 300 copies of the book.

Mr Ronsson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was "very surprised" by the Olympic organisers' request.

"It's extraordinarily strange that London 2012 can do this," he said.

'Not heavy-handed'

After the book's publication Olympic organisers said they would take "a balanced view" of the case.

"In the circumstances, particularly given the small number of books published, it would be disproportionate to take a heavy-handed approach," the London 2012 spokesman said.

"We will now contact Mr Ronsson again to discuss our ongoing concerns and endeavour to reach an amicable solution."